Over-pruning a Lilac tree

Discussion in 'Trees' started by kazzawazza, Feb 4, 2018.

  1. kazzawazza

    kazzawazza Total Gardener

    Joined:
    May 16, 2015
    Messages:
    1,857
    Gender:
    Female
    Location:
    Midlands
    Ratings:
    +1,857
    Hi

    We have a lovely lilac tree which I asked my husband to prune at the end of last year. However he was a little over adventurous with the clippers and has cut it back to nearly the branches with only 4* - 6" stems (old wood). There doesn't look as though there is any growth on it. Is the tree dead?

    Kazza
     
    • Friendly Friendly x 1
    • scillonian

      scillonian Gardener

      Joined:
      Oct 22, 2011
      Messages:
      247
      Location:
      South Devon
      Ratings:
      +238
      It will regenerate soon Kazza, heavy pruning may encourage suckering though.
       
      • Like Like x 1
      • Agree Agree x 1
      • Mark56

        Mark56 Super Gardener

        Joined:
        Apr 26, 2017
        Messages:
        393
        Gender:
        Male
        Location:
        Windsor, UK
        Ratings:
        +957
        Ideally it should be pruned straight after flowering by reducing some branches by 1/3 but it will still re shoot if cut back hard. However, you'll probably miss out on flowers for a few years yet.
         
        • Like Like x 1
        • silu

          silu gardening easy...hmmm

          Joined:
          Oct 20, 2010
          Messages:
          3,682
          Gender:
          Female
          Location:
          Igloo
          Ratings:
          +8,083
          I severely pruned a very old, neglected white Lilac a few years ago. Scillonian is quite correct, my Lilac produced loads of suckers and not much new wanted growth for a good couple of years and no flowers.It is eventually beginning to recover but maybe partly because the shrub is old it hasn't taken kindly to a severe haircut. If I need to prune my other Lilacs I will not be so severe and prune in stages.
           
          • Like Like x 2
          • redstar

            redstar Total Gardener

            Joined:
            Aug 6, 2008
            Messages:
            7,063
            Gender:
            Female
            Occupation:
            Domestic Goddess
            Location:
            Chester County, PA, USA, Plant zone 4 & 5
            Ratings:
            +10,377
            have never pruned mine. no suckers yet . been there 6 years.
             
            • Like Like x 1
            • kazzawazza

              kazzawazza Total Gardener

              Joined:
              May 16, 2015
              Messages:
              1,857
              Gender:
              Female
              Location:
              Midlands
              Ratings:
              +1,857
            • kazzawazza

              kazzawazza Total Gardener

              Joined:
              May 16, 2015
              Messages:
              1,857
              Gender:
              Female
              Location:
              Midlands
              Ratings:
              +1,857
              A013A833-9FD8-445D-BE10-662318ABD87A.jpeg

              When should I start to see some growth appear on the lilac tree?
               
              • Like Like x 1
              • Mark56

                Mark56 Super Gardener

                Joined:
                Apr 26, 2017
                Messages:
                393
                Gender:
                Male
                Location:
                Windsor, UK
                Ratings:
                +957
                Spring/Early Summer it should start producing new side stems, you won't get flowers this year but more than likely next. Have you fed it with some fish, blood & bone/mulched? :)
                 
                • Agree Agree x 2
                • kazzawazza

                  kazzawazza Total Gardener

                  Joined:
                  May 16, 2015
                  Messages:
                  1,857
                  Gender:
                  Female
                  Location:
                  Midlands
                  Ratings:
                  +1,857
                  I haven’t done anything with it this year as I wasn’t sure if it was too over-pruned for any growth to come back.
                   
                  • Informative Informative x 1
                  • Friendly Friendly x 1
                  • Gail_68

                    Gail_68 Guest

                    Ratings:
                    +0
                    • Agree Agree x 1
                    • Friendly Friendly x 1
                    • kazzawazza

                      kazzawazza Total Gardener

                      Joined:
                      May 16, 2015
                      Messages:
                      1,857
                      Gender:
                      Female
                      Location:
                      Midlands
                      Ratings:
                      +1,857
                      BBEA4D56-1292-4C46-BFA8-34A55EFD5E5D.jpeg
                      This is what it looked like before
                       
                      • Like Like x 3
                      • Gail_68

                        Gail_68 Guest

                        Ratings:
                        +0
                        @kazzawazza I would leave well alone now and just wait for new growth as you've left it at a nice height and new growth is better for any plant, as you should also see more flowers when it does establish :thumbsup:...you have a :wub2: garden :)
                         
                        • Like Like x 2
                        • Mark56

                          Mark56 Super Gardener

                          Joined:
                          Apr 26, 2017
                          Messages:
                          393
                          Gender:
                          Male
                          Location:
                          Windsor, UK
                          Ratings:
                          +957
                          Definitely :) and be able to smell those delicious flowers at a lower level
                           
                          • Like Like x 2
                          • Agree Agree x 1
                          • longk

                            longk Total Gardener

                            Joined:
                            Nov 24, 2011
                            Messages:
                            11,381
                            Location:
                            Oxfordshire
                            Ratings:
                            +23,089
                            If it ever warms up!

                            Any suckers that do appear are easily taken care of if you are vigilant. Anything up to 30cm away on a small shrub like that, but they can walk more.
                             
                            • Like Like x 2
                            • kazzawazza

                              kazzawazza Total Gardener

                              Joined:
                              May 16, 2015
                              Messages:
                              1,857
                              Gender:
                              Female
                              Location:
                              Midlands
                              Ratings:
                              +1,857
                              That was March, this is now

                              20180619_201848.jpg
                               
                              • Like Like x 3
                              Loading...

                              Share This Page

                              1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
                                By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
                                Dismiss Notice